Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is a red grape best known in France, where it is most commonly associated with Bordeaux’s right bank and the Loire Valley. Cabernet Franc is a parent, alongside Sauvignon Blanc, of the Cabernet Sauvignon grape, as well as a parent grape to Merlot and Carmenère.
In comparison to the bolder Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc wines tend to be of light or medium body, and are lighter in both color and tannin. The wines generally mature earlier. Cabernet Franc is sometimes associated with a herbaceous, almost green aroma, and possesses an outward expression of fruit.
The red wines tend to be light in color saturation, well-structured and highly perfumed, with aromas of raspberries and red fruits. These are wines intended for early to medium-term drinking.
France
Though mostly a blending grape in Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc plays a starring role in the Loire Valley. Its single-variety red wines are highly regarded, and some of the best examples come from Anjou-Villages, Bourgueil, Chinon and Saumur-Champigny. The grape also features in rosé wines, like Rosé de Loire and Rosé d’Anjou. The region’s sparkling wine, Crémant de Loire, can also be made in part or entirely from Cabernet Franc grapes.
In Bordeaux, Cabernet Franc is most significant on the right bank, particularly in Saint-Émilion. Here, it is used as a blending component alongside the dominant Merlot grape, usually in preference to Cabernet Sauvignon. Some producers favor Cabernet Franc over Merlot, and produce their wines primarily with Cabernet Franc.
Elsewhere in the region, Cabernet Franc plays a smaller role and makes up only a small proportion of overall vineyard plantings in the Médoc and Graves regions. The grape ripens more easily than Cabernet Sauvignon, so many producers look at it as a sort of insurance policy against the kind of inclement weather that can cause problems for Cabernet Sauvignon.
Beyond Bordeaux and the Loire Valley, Cabernet Franc is also cultivated in the southwest of France, including Bergerac and Madiran. Other significant plantings of Cabernet Franc can be found in Italy, notably in the Veneto and Bolgheri regions. Hungary’s Villány region produces some excellent single varietal Cabernet Franc, too.
Global Production
New world regions cultivating Cabernet Franc include California, New York, Washington State, Argentina and Chile. Canadian producers in the Niagara Peninsula produce premium ice wine from the grape.
Synonyms: Aceria, Achéria, Ardounet, Arrouya, Bidure, Bordeaux, Bordo, Boubet, Bouchet Franc, Bouchy, Breton, Burdeas Tinto, Cabernet, Cabernet Aunis, Cabernet Franco, Cabernet Gris, Cabrunet, Capbreton Rouge, Carmenet, Couahort, Fer Servandou, Gamput, Gros Bouchet, Grosse Vidure, Hartling, Kaberne Fran, Messanges Rouge, Morenoa, Noir Dur, Petit Fer, Petit Viodure, Petite Vidure, Petite Vignedure, Plant Breton or Plant de l’Abbé Breton, Sable Rouge, Trouchet, Tsapournako, Verdejilla Tinto, Véron, Véron Bouchy, Véronais, Vidure, Vuidure
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El Enemigo 2018 Gran Enemigo Agrelo Cabernet Franc (Agrelo)
Mendoza ProvinceCabernet Franc with a splash of Malbec, this red is made in ...See Full Review$100 -
Niner 2019 Fog Catcher Red (Paso Robles)
Central CoastFocused aromas of blackberry, loamy earth and elegant woodspice decorate the nose ...See Full Review$125 -
El Enemigo 2018 Gran Enemigo El Cepillo Cabernet Franc (San Carlos)
Mendoza ProvinceGrapes for this wine are sourced from El Cepillo, a region in ...See Full Review$120 -
Cooper-Garrod 2018 Francville Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastThis is a brilliantly fresh and vibrant Cabernet Franc, starting with snappy ...Editors’ ChoiceSee Full Review$46 -
El Enemigo 2018 Gran Enemigo Chacayes Cabernet Franc (Los Chacayes)
Mendoza ProvincePlum, blueberry, black pepper, chocolate and bay leaf emerge from the glass. ...See Full Review$120 -
El Enemigo 2018 Gran Enemigo Gualtallary Cabernet Franc (Gualtallary)
Mendoza ProvinceAromas of red plum and dried herbs blend with small doses of ...See Full Review$120 -
Future Perfect 2021 Portico Hills Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Barbara County)
Central CoastJuicy and ripe strawberry and wild plum aromas meet with fennel pollen ...See Full Review$58 -
Day 2021 Babycheeks Rosé (Applegate Valley)
Southern OregonA rosé made with Malbec, Tannat and Cabernet Franc is not something ...See Full Review$27 -
Bodega Norton 2019 Lote Negro Red (Uco Valley)
Mendoza ProvinceThis is a full-bodied and rich blend of 60% Malbec and 40% ...See Full Review$40 -
Meeker 2019 Cabernet Franc (Dry Creek Valley)
SonomaWell balanced and firmly structured, this mouthwatering wine lifts its focused red ...See Full Review$50 -
Marcelo Pelleriti 2020 Signature Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley)
Mendoza ProvinceComing from vines planted at 3,200 feet above sea level in Vista ...See Full Review$28 -
Dos Puentes 2019 Gran Summit Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley)
Mendoza ProvinceBlackberry and plum meet baking spices and black pepper. Smooth and fruit-forward, ...See Full Review$46 -
Porterhouse Winery 2019 Blackridge Vineyard Cabernet Franc (Santa Cruz Mountains)
Central CoastQuite dark in the glass, this bottling is very earthy on the ...See Full Review$65 -
Domaine Dozon 2020 Clos du Saut au Loup (Chinon)
Loire ValleyEric Santier is the sole owner of the vineyard that produced this ...See Full Review$28 -
Graffito 2020 Cabernet Franc (Mendoza)
Mendoza ProvinceNotes of earthy cherries on the nose join green bell pepper and ...See Full Review$25 -
Alpasión 2022 Grand Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley)
Mendoza ProvinceIf you like big wines, you will enjoy this full-bodied red. It ...See Full Review$30 -
DiamAndes 2020 de Uco Cabernet Franc (Uco Valley)
Mendoza ProvinceLicorice, plums and tobacco meet on the inviting nose. The palate offers ...See Full Review$23 -
Bodega Catena Zapata 2020 San Carlos Cabernet Franc (San Carlos)
Mendoza ProvinceVigorous acidity is the backbone of this wine, making it very approachable ...See Full Review$26 -
Lapostolle 2020 Cuvée Alexandre Cabernet Sauvignon (Apalta)
ChileThis red is a Cabernet Sauvignon (with a splash of Cabernet Franc ...See Full Review$25 -
Ancient Peaks 2019 Oyster Ridge Red (Santa Margarita Ranch)
Central CoastThis is a dense and dry blend of 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% ...See Full Review$60
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